Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to a newspaper article (details supplied); the action she is taking under existing legislation to eliminate this fraudulent operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9268/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department does not regulate the provision of private colleges. Indeed, in the context of a lifelong approach to learning, it would not be feasible to confine all provision of education and training to providers which are nationally accredited. However, in Ireland we do have a national framework of qualifications which enables providers in public, private, workplace or community settings to offer recognised awards in further or higher education, in compliance with the processes set out by the Further Education and Training Awards Council or the Higher Education and Training Awards Council. Such providers must agree their quality assurance arrangements with the relevant awards council, and satisfy the council that the awards are of an appropriate standard, the necessary supports are in place for learners and the assessment arrangements are fair and consistent. There are also procedures under which international or professional bodies may seek to have their programmes aligned with or included in the national framework of qualifications in Ireland, if they wish to do so. My Department is also bound by the Lisbon Convention and the EU Directive on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications to give appropriate recognition to nationally accredited awards from other jurisdictions. In addition to this, the Department maintains an Internationalisation Register containing programmes which are approved for the purpose of access to work by students who are citizens from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Only programmes which have been quality assured and/or lead to recognised qualifications are included on the Register. Both the Internationalisation Register and a list of approved higher education providers are maintained on the Department's website. The organisation referred to by the Deputy is not included on the Internationalisation Register, and does not currently offer programmes recognised by FETAC or HETAC under the national framework of qualifications. It is understood that an application has been made by the organisation to HETAC, and this is being examined at present. Internationally, many countries are grappling with how best to maintain an appropriate balance between ensuring that opportunities for ongoing learning in a variety of settings are encouraged, and that learners are not misled regarding the status or recognition attached to institutions and their awards. The Department is in consultation with the awards councils and the National Qualifications Authority as to how best such issues may be addressed. Learners are advised to check the recognition of their award before paying fees or beginning a programme.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action her Department or the legal services of the Government have taken against the private companies and organisations purporting to be Irish universities which are not recognised in law as legitimate universities since she last responded to parliamentary questions on bogus third level institutes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9269/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is in consultation with relevant agencies, to see how the existing approach to bogus institutions might be made more coherent and effective.

My Department fully intends to continue its efforts to press for compliance with legislation in this area and recognises that the existence of such organisations is contrary to the interests of Ireland's higher education institutions, which have sought to preserve the high international standing and quality reputation of higher education in Ireland.